W.G.C.

* * * * *

THE KING’S COCK CROWER.

Among the customs which formerly prevailed in this country during the season of Lent, was the following:—­An officer denominated the King’s Cock Crower, crowed the hour each night, within the precincts of the palace, instead of proclaiming it in the manner of the late watchmen.  This absurd ceremony did not fall into disuse till the reign of George I.

C.J.T.

* * * * *

HERRINGS.

Yarmouth is bound by its charter, to send to the Sheriffs of Norwich a tribute of one hundred herrings, baked in twenty-four pasties, which they ought to deliver to the Lord of the Manor of East Charlton, and he is obliged to present them to the King wherever he is.  Is not this a dainty dish to set before the King?

* * * * *

CURING A SCOLD.

Newcastle-Under-Line was once famous for a peculiar method of taming shrews:  this was by putting a bridle into the scold’s mouth, in such a manner as quite to deprive her of speech for the time, and so leading her about the town till she made signs of her intention to keep her tongue in better discipline for the future.

HALBERT H.

* * * * *

THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.

* * * * *

PICTURE OF SHEFFIELD.

Sir Richard Phillips’s Personal Tour, Part III.

Our extracts from the previous portion of this work, have forcibly illustrated the striking originality of its style, and the interesting character of its information.

The present Part concludes Newstead, and includes Mansfield, Chesterfield, Dronfield, Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley; and from it we extract the following facts, which almost form a picture of Sheffield.[2]

    [2] The utility of such a Tour as the present is greater than may
        appear at first sight.  Londoners are so absorbed with the wealth
        and importance of their own city, as to form but very erroneous
        notions of the extent and consequence of the large towns of the
        empire—­as Liverpool, Manchester, &c.; find those who live in
        small country towns are as far removed from opportunities of
        improvement.  The social economy of different districts is
        therefore important to both parties.